Lack of Greenery in Lagos State

Kenny Akintola 

Lagos is changing—fast. Every day, new buildings rise, roads expand, and estates replace open land. But there’s a cost: the city’s trees are disappearing, and green spaces are shrinking at an alarming rate. This issue doesn’t always make headlines, but its impact is felt everywhere—from the scorching heatwaves to the worsening air pollution.

We often celebrate Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, but we rarely pause to ask: At what cost? As developers clear land for new projects, the delicate balance between urbanization and nature is being lost. While progress is necessary, Lagos is already paying the price for neglecting its environment.

Why Are Trees and Green Spaces Important?

Trees are not just for decoration. They serve essential functions that make life in Lagos more livable.

1. They Keep Lagos Cool

Lagos is hot. The tropical sun is relentless, and it’s only getting worse. The more trees we lose, the hotter the city becomes. Trees provide shade, absorb heat, and reduce the urban heat island effect—a phenomenon where cities become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas because of excessive concrete and asphalt.

Take a walk in areas like Ikoyi or certain parts of GRA, where tree-lined streets still exist, and compare them to places like Oshodi or Iyana Ipaja, where greenery is scarce. The temperature difference is undeniable. Without trees, Lagos risks becoming an unbearable heat trap, making outdoor activities difficult and increasing energy costs as people rely more on air conditioning.

2. They Improve Air Quality

Lagos’ air is filled with smoke, dust, and exhaust fumes. The city has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Nigeria, thanks to constant traffic, generator fumes, and industrial activities. Trees act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and providing cleaner oxygen for people to breathe.

Without them, we inhale more toxic substances, leading to higher rates of respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis. If you’ve ever felt a burning sensation in your throat while stuck in Lagos traffic, that’s air pollution at work. Cutting down trees only makes it worse.

3. They Prevent Flooding

Every rainy season, Lagos experiences severe flooding. From Lekki to Mushin, streets become rivers, homes get submerged, and businesses suffer. While poor drainage and blocked gutters play a role, deforestation is a major contributing factor.

Trees and plants absorb excess rainwater, reducing runoff and preventing erosion. When we replace greenery with concrete, there’s nowhere for the water to go, leading to the kind of devastating floods that have become all too common in Lagos.

4. They Enhance Mental and Physical Well-being

Living in Lagos can be stressful. The traffic, the noise, the constant hustle—it all takes a toll. Green spaces offer a rare escape. Parks and tree-lined streets provide places for relaxation, exercise, and social interaction.

Studies show that access to green spaces improves mental health, reduces stress, and encourages physical activity. Yet, how many Lagosians have access to proper parks? Most public parks have either been abandoned or converted into commercial spaces, leaving residents with no choice but to stay indoors or navigate the city’s chaotic streets.

The Role of Developers and Government Policies

A significant portion of Lagos’ deforestation is driven by real estate development. Estate developers clear entire plots of land, removing every tree in sight without considering the environmental impact. Instead of incorporating green spaces into their designs, many estates are built with zero provision for parks or trees.

Government policies, which should protect trees and promote sustainable urban planning, are either weak or poorly enforced. In some cases, trees are felled for road expansion or infrastructure projects without any plans for replanting. The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) exists to regulate and promote green initiatives, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

There have been some efforts, such as tree-planting campaigns and green initiatives in parts of Lagos, but these are nowhere near enough. A city of over 20 million people needs a deliberate, large-scale approach to environmental conservation.

A Story of Global Warming and the Future of Lagos

Imagine a Lagos where every year feels hotter than the last, where stepping outside at noon is almost unbearable, and where floods wipe out entire neighborhoods. This isn’t a distant future—it’s already happening. Global warming is real, and Lagos is at the frontline.

The combination of deforestation, rapid urbanization, and climate change is creating a dangerous cycle. Rising temperatures lead to more heatwaves. Fewer trees mean more air pollution. More concrete means worse flooding. If we continue on this path, Lagos will become a city where only the wealthy can afford to stay comfortable, while the rest struggle with worsening living conditions.

What Needs to Happen?

If Lagos is to remain livable, urgent action is required from multiple stakeholders:

1. Stricter Environmental Regulations

The Lagos State Government must enforce strict policies on tree preservation and urban greenery. There should be laws preventing indiscriminate tree felling, with penalties for developers who fail to integrate green spaces into their projects.

2. More Green Spaces and Public Parks

Lagos needs more accessible parks—not just in highbrow areas like Victoria Island and Ikoyi, but across all neighborhoods. Community gardens, mini-parks, and tree-planting initiatives should be prioritized, with active maintenance to keep them functional.

3. Developers Must Prioritize Sustainability

Real estate developers must be held accountable for incorporating green spaces into their designs. Instead of clearing land entirely, they should be required to leave a percentage of trees intact and plant more within their estates.

4. Citizens Must Get Involved

It’s not just up to the government—residents can also play a role. Planting trees in our homes, advocating for greener policies, and supporting environmental initiatives can make a difference. Lagosians must demand better urban planning and refuse to accept tree loss as the price of development.

Conclusion: Saving Lagos Before It’s Too Late

Lagos is at a crossroads. We can either continue down the path of unchecked urbanization and suffer the long-term consequences, or we can take action now to preserve what remains of our natural environment.

Trees and green spaces are not luxuries—they are necessities. They keep the air clean, reduce heat, prevent floods, and provide much-needed relief from the daily grind of city life. If we want a Lagos that is livable for future generations, we must prioritize environmental conservation today.

The time to act is now—before the last tree falls, and we find ourselves trapped in a concrete jungle with no escape, till next time stay safe .

Kenny Akintola is the

Chief facility officer of

Express business support